Description

The Girlfriend Boulder houses a range of problems but is mainly know for the test piece Girlfriend's Backside, V7, which is on the east side of the boulder next to the talus field.

All landings are good for this boulder.

Getting There

There are two main options to getting to the Satellites, both of which start at the Chautauqua Trailhead. Park there or along Baseline Road, and start up the wide Chautauqua Trail. Take the trail into the treeline, over a small wooden bridge, past a large boulder, and then to the next intersection of trails (it intersects the Bluebell Baird Trail). From here, you have two options:

Option 1: most direct, more crowds, and more strenuous. Take the 1st/2nd Flatiron trail which is the trail that goes uphill immediately at a diagonal left at the intersection (not the leftmost, the center-left option is the one you want). Take this uphill and stay left at the next fork. This will spit you out at the base of the Second Flatiron.

From here, follow the trail heading east away from the Second Flatiron. You'll see The Wave Boulder on your right with a trail going uphill. Follow the trail uphill and The Stardust Boulder will be on your right. Continue past The Stardust Boulder, and soon The Girlfriend Boulder will be on your left.

Option 2: less direct, less crowds, and less strenuous. Take a left (the leftmost option) onto the Bluebell Baird Trail. From here, stay right at every trail intersection. This will take you past the Bluebell Shelter on your left and take you across a wooden walk bridge. The last intersection is for the Royal Arch Trail (which goes left), take the trail to the right to continue to the Satellite area. This will take you up a switchback, across a small boulderfield, and then the first boulder you'll arrive to is the Sputnik Boulder.

From here, continue along the trail which goes behind the Sputnik Boulder,and then winds up to a trail intersection. The Wave Boulder is now immediately on your left, and the base of the Second Flatiron is taking the trail to your right. Take the trail uphill past The Wave Boulder, and The Stardust Boulder will be on your right. Continue up the trail for just a little bit and The Girlfriend Boulder will be on your left.

I personally take Option 2, 80% of the time, as it gives you a break from walking straight uphill the whole time, and you get to get off the main trail that all the tourists are on for a more peaceful experience.